JP2016036975A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device that can determine whether an actually conveyed medium is a cut-form medium or a lengthy medium before starting conveyance of the medium so that a proper mode in accordance with the determination result can be executed.SOLUTION: The printing device is equipped with: a sheet feeding roller 64 that feeds a sheet set on a hopper 61 to a downstream side in a conveying direction; a printing head 33 that is arranged closer to a downstream side in the conveying direction than the sheet feeding roller 64 and performs printing on the sheet; an insertion part that guides a roll sheet to the hopper 61; and a roll sheet detecting sensor SE3 that detects the roll sheet which passes through the insertion part. A control device 100 of the printing device selects a mode for a cut-form sheet when the roll sheet detecting sensor SE3 does not detect the roll sheet, and selects a mode for the roll sheet when the sensor SE3 detects the roll sheet so as to execute proper processing in accordance with the selected mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of printing on a single-cut medium such as single-cut paper and printing on a long medium such as roll paper.

  Patent Document 1 describes an example of a printing apparatus in which a conveyance path for cut sheet paper, which is an example of a cut sheet medium, and a conveyance path for roll paper, which is an example of a long medium, are shared. Has been. The automatic feeding device that constitutes such a printing apparatus includes a hopper (an example of a set unit) that can hold a plurality of cut sheets in a stacked state, and the uppermost cut sheet on the hopper downstream in the transport direction. And a feeding roller for feeding. A pair of transport rollers is provided downstream in the transport direction from the feeding roller. Then, until the feeding roller makes one revolution, the leading edge of the paper reaches the pair of transport rollers, and the paper is nipped (nip) by the pair of transport rollers constituting the pair of transport rollers. Thereafter, the cut sheet is transported downstream in the transport direction by the transport roller pair.

  In addition, a roll paper unit (an example of a holding device) that holds roll paper can be attached to the automatic feeding device in a detachable state. Then, when the feed roller is rotated with the roll paper fed from the roll paper unit attached to the automatic feeding device being set in the hopper, the feed of the roll paper downstream by the feed roller is performed. Be started.

  Further, in such a printing apparatus, a paper edge detection sensor that detects the edge (front edge or rear edge) of the paper between the feeding roller and the conveyance roller pair in the conveyance direction is provided. In such a printing apparatus, when the conveyance roller pair conveys the paper downstream in the conveyance direction, the trailing edge of the paper is detected by the paper edge detection sensor even if the drive amount of the drive source of the conveyance roller pair exceeds a predetermined amount. When it cannot be performed, it is determined that the paper being conveyed is roll paper.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes an example of a printing apparatus in which a roll paper conveyance path is provided separately from a cut paper conveyance path. In such a printing apparatus, the roll paper fed from the roll paper unit passes under the automatic feeding device in the casing of the printing apparatus, and is then sandwiched by a pair of transport rollers that constitute the transport roller pair (nip ).

JP 2001-96861 A JP 2002-302316 A

  By the way, in the above-described printing apparatus, it is impossible to determine whether a sheet to be printed is a cut sheet or a roll sheet until the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair. Therefore, in such a printing apparatus, the mode cannot be switched depending on whether the sheet to be actually transported is a cut sheet or a roll sheet. Note that examples of the “mode” herein include a mode related to a notification mode for a user and a mode related to a paper transport mode.

  An object of the present invention is to determine whether the medium to be actually transported is a single-cut medium or a long medium before the start of transport of the medium, so that an appropriate response according to the determination result can be obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing processing.

  A printing apparatus that achieves the above object performs printing on a single-cut medium when the single-cut medium is set in the set section, and the same long-form print when the long medium is set on the set section. A printing apparatus that performs printing on a medium, the feeding roller feeding a medium set in the set unit downstream in the transport direction, and a downstream of the feeding roller in the transport direction, and printing on the medium A print head to be applied; a guide unit that guides the long medium fed from a holding device that holds the long medium to the set unit; and a long medium detection sensor that detects the medium passing through the guide unit. And a control device for controlling the device, wherein the control device selects a mode for a single-cut medium when the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor, while the long medium detection Medium by sensor But and a control unit which executes a process corresponding to the mode selected and the mode selection unit for selecting a mode for elongated medium, by the mode selection unit when being sensed.

  According to the above configuration, when printing on a single-cut medium, the single-cut medium is set in the set unit without using the guide unit. On the other hand, when printing on a long medium, the long medium sent out from the holding device is set in the set unit via the guide unit. Then, when the long medium passes through the guide portion, the long medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor. Therefore, by using the detection result of the long medium detection sensor, it is possible to determine whether or not the medium actually transported is a long medium when the medium is set in the setting unit. Become. And the mode based on this discrimination | determination result is selected, and the process according to the mode is implemented. Therefore, by determining whether the medium to be actually transported is a single-cut medium or a long medium before starting the transport of the medium, appropriate processing according to the determination result is performed. Will be able to.

  The printing apparatus further includes a set detection sensor that detects a medium set in the setting unit, and the control apparatus is a single-cut medium or a long medium. A medium determining unit that determines whether the medium to be transported is a long medium when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, When the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor and the medium is detected by the set detection sensor, it is determined that the medium to be transported is a single-cut medium, and the mode selection unit The mode is selected based on the determination result by the medium determination unit.

According to the above configuration, by providing the set detection sensor, it is possible to detect that a single-cut medium is set in the set unit.
In the printing apparatus, the mode includes a notification mode related to a notification mode by a notification device, and the mode selection unit notifies a single-cut medium when the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor. While the mode is selected, when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, the notification mode for the long medium is selected, and the control unit switches to the notification mode selected by the mode selection unit. The notification device is made to perform notification based on the notification.

  According to the above configuration, when the medium set in the setting unit is a single-cut medium, a notification specific to the single-cut medium is issued before the conveyance of the medium, that is, the rotation of the feeding roller is started. This is done by a notification device. On the other hand, when the medium set in the setting unit is a long medium, the notification device performs notification specific to the long medium before the conveyance of the medium, that is, the rotation of the feeding roller is started. Is called. Therefore, in comparison with a printing device that determines whether the medium actually transported is a single-cut medium or a long medium after the medium has actually started, the notification device The content that can be notified can be increased, and usability can be improved.

  In the above-described printing apparatus, the notification mode for the sheet-shaped medium is a mode for prompting the setting of at least one of the size and type of the medium, and the notification mode for the long medium is the long medium detection. A first notification mode selected when the medium is detected by both the sensor and the set detection sensor; and the medium is detected by the set detection sensor while the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor A second notification mode that is selected when the second notification mode is not selected. The first notification mode is a mode that prompts the user to set at least one of the size and type of the medium, and the second notification mode is selected. The mode is a mode that prompts the user to set a long medium on the set unit.

  According to the above configuration, when a single-cut medium is set in the set unit, the notification apparatus is notified that the setting of at least one of the size and type of the single-cut medium is set. be able to. In addition, when a medium is detected by both the long medium detection sensor and the set detection sensor, a notification that prompts the user to set at least one of the size and type of the long medium set is provided to the notification device. Can be made. Furthermore, when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, but the medium is not detected by the set detection sensor, the long medium may not be set correctly in the set unit. It is possible to make the notification device notify the user that the medium is to be set in the set unit. Therefore, the content to be notified using the notification device can be appropriately changed depending on the difference in detection mode between the long medium detection sensor and the set detection sensor.

  In the printing apparatus, the mode includes a conveyance mode related to conveyance of a medium, and the mode selection unit selects a conveyance mode for a single-sheet medium when the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor. On the other hand, when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, the transport mode for the long medium is selected, and when the control unit transports the medium set in the set unit, The medium is transported based on the transport mode selected by the mode selection unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the medium set in the setting unit is a single-cut medium, the single-cut medium transport mode can be selected as the transport mode. On the other hand, when the medium set in the setting unit is a long medium, the conveyance mode for the long medium can be selected as the conveyance mode. That is, when the medium is set in the setting unit, it can be determined whether the medium to be transported is a single-cut medium or a long medium. Unlike a printing apparatus that can only discriminate, the medium can be transported by an appropriate transport method according to whether it is a single-cut medium or a long medium.

  The printing apparatus includes a pair of transport rollers disposed between the feed roller and the print head in the transport direction and having a pair of transport rollers, and the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller is a rotation of the feed roller. A contact surface along the circumferential direction centering on the axis, and a non-contact surface that linearly connects one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the contact surface, the non-contact surface on the medium on the transport path When the state of the opposed feeding rollers is an initial state, the rotation direction of each roller when conveying the medium downstream in the conveyance direction is a normal rotation direction, and the opposite direction of the normal rotation direction is a reverse rotation direction, When the feeding roller in the initial state is rotated once in the forward rotation direction, the leading end of the medium is positioned downstream of the pair of transport rollers in the transport direction, and the medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers. In The control unit, when transporting a sheet-like medium in a situation where the transport mode for the sheet-like medium is selected, the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state, When rotation in the forward rotation direction is started and one rotation of the feeding roller is completed, a feeding process for a single-sheet medium that holds the feeding roller in the initial state is performed, while the long When a long medium is transported in a state where the transport mode for the medium is selected, rotation of the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state in the forward rotation direction is started. When one rotation of the feeding roller is completed, the feeding roller is held in the initial state, and in this state, the pair of conveying rollers are rotated in the reverse direction to thereby rotate the medium by the same pair of conveying rollers. Implementing the medium feeding process to eliminate the lifting.

  According to the above configuration, when a single-cut medium is fed, a single-sheet medium feeding process is performed. At the end of the feeding process, a single-cut medium is held between the pair of transport rollers. Thereafter, when a cueing process for adjusting the position of the leading edge of the cut sheet medium in the transport direction is performed, printing on the cut sheet medium is started immediately.

  Note that the feeding of the long medium may be performed when a printing instruction is input or when a medium feeding instruction is input. When a printing instruction is input, printing is started relatively early when the medium feeding process is completed. On the other hand, when a feeding instruction is input, there may be a standby state after the medium feeding process ends. At the end of the medium feeding process, if a long medium is sandwiched between a pair of transport rollers as in the case of a single sheet medium, the sandwiching may be continued for a long time. There is. In this case, when the medium is curled due to the sandwiching of the medium by the pair of transport rollers and printing is performed on the medium on which the curl is generated, the medium comes into contact with the print head, and the print quality of the medium is deteriorated. May occur.

  Therefore, in the above configuration, when the medium feeding process performed at the time of feeding the long medium is finished, the long medium is not pinched by the pair of transport rollers. That is, even when printing on a long medium is not easily started after the medium feeding process is finished, the occurrence of curling due to the medium being sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers is suppressed. Therefore, when performing printing on the long medium thereafter, the contact of the long medium with the print head is suppressed, and the deterioration of the print quality with respect to the long medium can be suppressed. become able to.

In the printing apparatus, the control unit performs the medium feeding process when a medium feeding instruction is input in a state where the transport mode for the long medium is selected.
According to the above configuration, the medium feeding process is performed when a feeding instruction is input. At the end of the medium feeding process, the pair of transport rollers do not hold the medium. For this reason, even when printing on a long medium is not easily started even after the medium feeding process is finished, the occurrence of curling due to the holding of the medium by the pair of transport rollers is suppressed. Therefore, when performing printing on the long medium thereafter, the contact of the long medium with the print head is suppressed, and the deterioration of the print quality with respect to the long medium can be suppressed. become able to.

  In the printing apparatus, the control unit performs the medium feeding process when a medium feeding instruction is input in a state where the transport mode for the long medium is selected. When an instruction for printing on the medium is input in a state where the transport mode for the long medium is selected, the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state are moved in the forward rotation direction. When the rotation of the feeding roller is completed and another rotation of the feeding roller is completed, the feeding roller is held in the initial state, and another medium that holds the long medium between the pair of transport rollers is held. Carry out the feeding process.

  When a print instruction is input in a state where a long medium is set in the set unit, printing on the long medium is immediately started. Therefore, in the above configuration, the medium feeding process is performed when a feeding instruction is input in a state where a long medium is set in the set unit, whereas a long medium is formed in the set unit. When a print instruction is input in a state where is set, another medium feeding process different from the medium feeding process is performed. At the end of the other medium feeding process, the long medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers. Therefore, the cueing process for adjusting the position in the transport direction of the leading end of the long medium can be performed immediately after the completion of the another medium feeding process. Accordingly, even when a print instruction is input, the throughput of the printing apparatus can be increased as compared with the case where the medium feeding process is performed.

  The printing apparatus guides the feeding of the medium from the lower side between the retard roller capable of sandwiching the medium together with the feeding roller, and the feeding roller pair in the conveying direction between the feeding roller pair. A medium guide member, and an outer peripheral surface of the retard roller is in contact with the contact surface of the feeding roller, but cannot be in contact with the non-contact surface. When a support shaft around which a long medium is wound in a roll shape is provided and the support shaft is rotated in one direction, the long medium is sent out from the holding device, and the long shape is sent out. The medium is curled so as to be convex upward, and when the print instruction is input after the medium feeding process is performed, the control unit moves the pair of transport rollers and the feeding roller forward. By rotating in the forward direction, the medium is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers and is sandwiched by the feeding roller and the retard roller, and the both nip states are maintained. A reverse rotation decurling process is performed in which the pair of transport rollers are rotated in the reverse rotation direction.

  According to the above configuration, when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed, the pair of transport rollers are rotated in the reverse rotation direction, thereby increasing the amount of deflection of the medium between the transport roller pair and the feeding roller. At this time, since the feeding roller and the retard roller are difficult to rotate in the reverse rotation direction, the medium bent in this way is pressed against the medium guide member, and as a result, the curl of the medium is canceled, that is, the medium is decurled. Is done. When printing is performed on such a long medium, the medium is unlikely to contact the print head. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality with respect to the long medium.

  The printing apparatus includes a transport motor that is a drive source of the transport roller pair, a feed motor that is a drive source of the feed roller, and power from the feed motor when the feed motor is driven to rotate forward. A one-way clutch that transmits to the feed roller while not transmitting the power from the feed motor to the feed roller when the feed motor is driven in reverse rotation, and the feed roller is the feed motor When the power based on the normal rotation drive is transmitted through the one-way clutch, the controller rotates in the normal rotation direction. The conveyance motor is driven to rotate the pair of conveyance rollers in the reverse rotation direction, and the feeding motor is reversely driven.

  When the reverse decurling process is performed, if the amount of bending of the medium between the conveying roller pair and the feeding roller becomes excessive due to the rotation of the pair of conveying rollers in the reverse rotation direction, the medium decurling becomes excessive, and at the time of printing The decurled medium may easily come into contact with the print head. Therefore, in the above configuration, the feed motor is driven in reverse rotation when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed. As a result, when stress due to bending between the transport roller pair and the feed roller is applied to the feed roller through the medium, the feed motor is stopped compared to when the drive of the feed motor is stopped. The roller and the retard roller easily rotate in the reverse direction. When the feeding roller and the retard roller are rotated in the reverse direction, the amount of deflection of the medium between the pair of transport rollers and the feeding roller is unlikely to be excessive. Therefore, it is possible to moderate the decal of the medium, and it is possible to make it difficult to cause contact between the long medium and the print head during printing.

In the above-described printing apparatus, the control unit increases the execution time of the reverse rotation decurling process as the rigidity of the medium increases.
According to the above configuration, the more rigid the medium, the more difficult it is to curl, so the time for performing the reverse decurling process is lengthened. In this way, by optimizing the execution time of the reverse rotation decurling process based on the rigidity of the medium, the curling of the medium can be appropriately eliminated. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to cause contact between the long medium and the print head during printing.

In the printing apparatus, the control unit increases the amount of rotation of the pair of transport rollers in the reverse rotation direction when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed as the rigidity of the medium increases.
According to the above configuration, the more rigid the medium, the more difficult the curl to be resolved. Therefore, when the reverse decurling process is performed, the amount of deflection of the medium between the conveying roller pair and the feeding roller is increased. As described above, by optimizing the amount of bending of the medium between the transport roller pair and the feeding roller based on the rigidity of the medium, it is possible to appropriately eliminate the curl of the medium. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to cause contact between the long medium and the print head during printing.

  The printing apparatus includes a support base disposed downstream in the transport direction with respect to the pair of transport rollers, and one of the pair of transport rollers constituting the pair of transport rollers is disposed above and the other of the pair of transport rollers. The roller is disposed below, the axis of the one roller is positioned downstream in the transport direction from the axis of the other roller, and the print head performs printing on the medium supported by the support base. When the printing is performed after the medium feeding process, the control unit causes the pair of transport rollers to sandwich the long medium, and the long medium is placed on the support base. The pressing decurling process is performed.

  According to the above configuration, curling of the medium can be suppressed by pressing the leading end of the long medium against the support base by the pressing decurling process. Then, by performing printing after performing such pressing decurling, it becomes difficult for the long medium and the print head to come into contact with each other at the time of printing, and the deterioration of the print quality with respect to the long medium is suppressed. Will be able to.

  The printing apparatus includes a support base disposed downstream in the transport direction with respect to the pair of transport rollers, and one of the pair of transport rollers constituting the pair of transport rollers is disposed above and the other of the pair of transport rollers. The roller is disposed below, the axis of the one roller is positioned downstream in the transport direction from the axis of the other roller, and the print head performs printing on the medium supported by the support base. When a print instruction is input after the medium feeding process is performed, the control unit causes the pair of transport rollers to sandwich the long medium, and the control unit A pressing decurling process is performed in which the tip is pressed against the support base, and then the reverse decurling process is performed.

  According to the above configuration, the reverse rotation decurling process is performed after the pressing decurling process. By sequentially performing the two types of decurling processes in this way, it is possible to enhance the curl eliminating effect of the same medium. By performing printing after performing these two types of decurling, it becomes difficult for the long medium and the print head to come into contact with each other at the time of printing, thereby suppressing deterioration in print quality for the long medium. Will be able to.

In the printing apparatus, the control unit lengthens the time for performing the pressing decurling process as the rigidity of the medium increases.
According to the above configuration, the more rigid the medium, the more difficult the curl to be resolved, so the time for performing the pressing decurling process is lengthened. As described above, the curling of the medium can be appropriately eliminated by optimizing the execution time of the pressing decurling process based on the rigidity of the medium. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to cause contact between the long medium and the print head during printing.

  The printing apparatus includes a discharge roller pair that is disposed downstream in the transport direction from the print head and includes a pair of discharge rollers. The control unit prints the medium on the pair of discharge rollers when printing on a long medium. And the pair of discharge rollers, and in this state, printing on a long medium is started.

  According to the above configuration, printing on the long medium can be started in a state where the long medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers and the pair of discharge rollers. When such printing is performed, it becomes difficult for the printed medium to come into contact with the print head. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult to cause contact between the long medium and the print head during printing.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a printing apparatus. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a printing apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the printing apparatus. (A) is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a support stand, (b) is a top view which shows schematic structure of a part of support stand. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a conveyance roller pair, a discharge roller pair, and those peripheral members. The perspective view which shows the structure of an automatic feeding apparatus. The figure which expanded a part in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of a maintenance unit and the power transmission path | route to a maintenance unit. The schematic diagram explaining the switching aspect of the power transmission path from a conveyance motor. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device of the printing apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows a display mode when a cut sheet paper is set to the hopper. The schematic diagram which shows a display mode when roll paper is set to the hopper. The schematic diagram which shows a display mode when roll paper is not set correctly in a hopper. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine executed by the control device to perform mode selection in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine executed by the control device to perform display control based on a selected display mode in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine executed by the control device when printing on paper in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first feeding process routine in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a second feeding processing routine in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. Sectional drawing which shows a mode that roll paper is conveyed. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a part of a processing routine executed by a control device when printing on paper in the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a third feeding processing routine in the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the printing apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer will be described below with reference to FIGS. The printing apparatus of the present embodiment is an apparatus that can print on roll paper, which is an example of a long medium, in addition to single paper, which is an example of a cut medium. In FIG. 3, the left side is “front” and the right side is “rear”. Further, the vertical direction in FIG. 3 may be simply referred to as “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes a casing 11 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a roll paper unit 20 that is detachably attached to the rear surface of the casing 11. The roll paper unit 20 corresponds to an example of a “holding device” that holds the roll paper P2. The roll paper unit 20 is provided with a unit case 21 and a support shaft 22 that supports the roll paper P2 accommodated in the unit case 21. Then, the roll paper P2 is sent out of the unit case 21 by rotating the support shaft 22 in the arrow direction shown in FIG. Note that the roll paper P2 fed from the roll paper unit 20 into the housing 11 is curled so as to protrude upward.

  A front panel 12 that rotates about an axis extending in the scanning direction, which is a direction substantially orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, is provided at the front portion of the housing 11. The lower portion of the front panel 12 is supported by the housing 11 in a rotatable state. The state of the front panel 12 that closes the front part of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. 1 is called a “closed state”, and the state of the front panel 12 that opens the front part of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. “Open state”. When the front panel 12 is in an open state, the front panel 12 serves as a stacker (discharge tray) on which the paper P such as the cut sheet P1 and the roll paper P2 discharged forward from the housing 11 is placed. Function.

  In addition, an upper panel 13 that rotates about an axis extending in the scanning direction is provided at the top of the housing 11. The rear portion of the top panel 13 is supported by the housing 11 in a rotatable state. The state of the top panel 13 that closes the top of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as a “closed state”, and the state of the top panel 13 that opens the top of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. " When the upper panel 13 is in an open state, the upper panel 13 functions as a feeding tray that holds the cut sheet P1 before printing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an operation device 14 that is a user interface is provided on the upper portion of the housing 11. The operating device 14 is exposed when the top panel 13 is opened. Such an operation device 14 is provided with a display screen 141 and an operated portion 142 including operation buttons and the like. The display screen 141 is attached to the upper part of the housing 11 in a rotatable state. Then, when the operated portion 142 is operated by the user, the printing apparatus 10 is driven.

  In the printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the user cuts the printed portion of the roll paper P2, which is the leading end portion of the printed roll paper P2, from the roll paper P2 by cutting means such as scissors. It has become. Then, when the printed portion is cut from the roll paper P2, and then an instruction for returning the roll paper P2 to the upstream side in the transport direction is input to the control device by the operation of the operated portion 142 by the user, the backfeed processing is performed. The roll paper P <b> 2 is returned into the housing 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 11 is supported by the transport unit 50 that transports the paper P along the transport path, the support base 40 that supports the paper P in the middle of transport, and the support base 40. A printing unit 30 that performs printing on the paper P is provided. In addition, a maintenance unit for maintaining an ink supply system including a print head 33 described later is also provided in the housing 11.

First, the printing unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the printing unit 30 includes a guide member 31 extending in the scanning direction which is also a direction orthogonal to the paper surface, a carriage 32 supported by the guide member 31 so as to be movable in the scanning direction, And a print head 33 mounted on the carriage 32. The print head 33 has a nozzle that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid. Printing can be performed on the paper P by ejecting ink from the print head 33 while moving the carriage 32 in the scanning direction. Note that a paper width sensor SE1 that detects an end portion (including a front end, a rear end, and a side end) of the paper P on the lower surface of the carriage 32 on the rear side of the print head 33, that is, on the upstream side of the print head 33 in the transport direction. Is provided.

Next, the support base 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the support base 40 includes a support base case 41 and an ink absorbing material 48 housed in the support base case 41. In addition, two openings 43 </ b> A and 43 </ b> B that communicate the inside and outside of the support base case 41 are provided on a support surface 42 that is a surface (upper surface in the drawing) facing the print head 33 in the support base case 41. Each of these openings 43A and 43B extends in the width direction of the support base case 41 which is also the scanning direction. Of the openings 43A and 43B, the upstream opening 43A located at the upstream in the transport direction (right side in FIG. 4A) is the upstream end in the transport direction of the print head 33 (the right end in FIG. 4A). Overlapping in the transport direction. On the other hand, the downstream opening 43B located on the downstream side in the transport direction (left side in FIG. 4A), which is also forward, overlaps the downstream end (left end in FIG. 4A) of the print head 33 in the transport direction. . In other words, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform borderless printing on the paper P. Of the ink ejected from the print head 33 during borderless printing, the ink that does not adhere to the paper P is absorbed by the ink absorber 48.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a plurality of upstream ribs 44 extending in the transport direction are arranged in the scanning direction on the support surface 42 located upstream of the upstream opening 43A in the transport direction. . In addition, a plurality of intermediate ribs 45 extending in the transport direction are arranged in the scanning direction on the support surface 42 located between the upstream opening 43A and the downstream opening 43B. A plurality of downstream ribs 46 extending in the transport direction are arranged in the scanning direction on the support surface 42 located downstream of the downstream opening 43B in the transport direction. In the support base 40, the paper P is supported by the upstream rib 44, the intermediate rib 45, and the downstream rib 46.

Next, the transport unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7.
As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit 50 transports more than the automatic feeding device 60, the transport roller pair 51 positioned downstream in the transport direction (left side in the figure) with respect to the automatic feed device 60, and the transport roller pair 51. And a discharge roller pair 52 positioned downstream in the direction. The transport roller pair 51 is disposed upstream of the support base 40 and the paper width sensor SE1 in the transport direction (right side in the figure), while the discharge roller pair 52 is disposed downstream of the support base 40 in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, each of these roller pairs 51, 52 is driven rollers 511, 521 that rotate based on the power from the conveyance motor 53, and driven that rotates following the rotation of the driving rollers 511, 521. And rollers 512 and 522. That is, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 corresponds to the “transport roller”, and the pair of rollers 521 and 522 constituting the discharge roller pair 52 is the “discharge roller”. Is equivalent to. Then, the driving rollers 511 and 521 are rotated by the power from the transport motor 53 in a state where the paper P is sandwiched (nip) by the driving rollers 511 and 521 and the driven rollers 512 and 522 constituting the roller pair 51 and 52. Then, the paper P is conveyed by the roller pairs 51 and 52.

  These rollers 511, 512, 521, 522 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions based on the driving mode of the transport motor 53. The rotation direction of each of the rollers 511, 512, 521, and 522 when the paper P is transported downstream in the transport direction is referred to as “normal rotation direction”, and each of the rollers 511, 512, when the paper P is returned upstream in the transport direction. The rotation direction of 521 and 522 may be referred to as a “reverse direction”. The driving of the transport motor 53 for rotating the rollers 511, 512, 521, and 522 in the forward direction is referred to as “forward driving”, and the rollers 511, 512, 521, and 522 are rotated in the reverse direction. The driving of the transport motor 53 is sometimes referred to as “reverse rotation driving”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the transport roller pair 51, the rotational axis (axial center) of the driven roller 512 positioned on the upper side is slightly higher than the rotational axis (axial center) of the driving roller 511 positioned on the lower side. It is located downstream in the transport direction (left side in the figure). Further, the contact point between the driving roller 511 and the driven roller 512 is located above the support base 40. As a result, the paper P protrudes from the transport roller pair 51 toward the upstream rib 44 of the support base 40 located obliquely below the front. Therefore, when the paper P sent out by the transport roller pair 51 contacts the upstream rib 44, the transport direction of the paper P is changed to the front in which the upstream rib 44, the intermediate rib 45, and the downstream rib 46 are aligned.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the automatic feeding device 60 includes a hopper 61 that is an example of a setting unit on which the paper P is set. Support shafts 62 projecting outward are provided at both ends of the hopper 61 in the scanning direction, and the hopper 61 can tilt around the support shaft 62. Specifically, the hopper 61 has a support shaft 62 as an axis, and tilts so that a lower portion thereof is displaced in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 61 is located at the uppermost stream in the paper transport path. Therefore, the cut sheet P1 set on the open upper panel 13 can be placed on the hopper 61, and the roll paper P2 fed from the roll paper unit 20 can be set.

  The automatic feeding device 60 is provided with a set detection sensor SE2 that detects the paper P set in the hopper 61. The set detection sensor SE2 is disposed above the lower portion of the hopper 61. Therefore, when the leading edge of the paper P does not reach the lower part of the hopper 61, the set detection sensor SE2 cannot detect the paper P. When the paper P is detected by the set detection sensor SE2, the paper P set in the hopper 61 can be fed downstream in the transport direction by rotation of a feed roller 64 described later. .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, in order to guide the roll paper P <b> 2 fed from the roll paper unit 20 onto the hopper 61, obliquely above and behind the hopper 61 in the casing 11 of the printing apparatus 10. The insertion part 15 which is an example of this guide part is provided. The insertion portion 15 has an insertion port 16 that opens to the rear surface 11 a of the housing 11 and an introduction port 17 that guides the roll paper P <b> 2 to the hopper 61. That is, the roll paper P <b> 2 inserted into the insertion portion 15 through the insertion port 16 is sent out onto the hopper 61 through the introduction port 17, and then set on the hopper 61.

  An insertion chamber 18 that communicates with the outside through the insertion port 16 and the introduction port 17 is formed in the insertion portion 15. That is, the roll paper P <b> 2 enters the insertion chamber 18 through the insertion port 16 and is led out of the insertion chamber 18 through the introduction port 17. The insertion unit 15 is provided with a roll paper detection sensor SE3 that is an example of a long medium detection sensor that detects the passage of the roll paper P2 in the insertion chamber 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a rotation shaft 63 extending in the scanning direction substantially coincident with the width direction of the hopper 61 and a supply shaft fixed to the rotation shaft 63 are slightly obliquely upward and forward of the lower portion of the hopper 61. A feed roller 64 is provided. The outer shape of the feeding roller 64 is substantially “D” -shaped. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller 64 is along the circumferential direction centering on the rotation shaft 63 and can contact the paper P on the hopper 61, and one end and the other end of the contact surface 641 in the circumferential direction. And a non-contact surface 642 that cannot contact the paper P on the hopper 61. The length of the contact surface 641 in the circumferential direction is longer than the length of the paper conveyance path from the feed roller 64 to the conveyance roller pair 51.

  Further, a retard roller 65 is provided at a position facing the feeding roller 64 to feed the paper P together with the feeding roller 64 downstream in the transport direction. The retard roller 65 is given a constant rotational load by a torque limiting mechanism such as a torque limiter, and is urged toward the feeding roller 64 by an urging member such as a spring. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the retard roller 65 can contact the contact surface 641 of the feeding roller 64, but cannot contact the non-contact surface 642. When the feed roller 64 is rotated in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the retard roller 65 is in contact with the contact surface 641 of the feed roller 64, the retard roller 65 is driven in conjunction with the rotation of the feed roller 64. Rotate. That is, when the rollers 64 and 65 rotate while the paper P is sandwiched (nip) by the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65, the paper P is fed toward the transport roller pair 51 located downstream in the transport direction. . The rotation direction of the rollers 64 and 65 for feeding the paper P downstream in the transport direction is referred to as “forward rotation direction”, and the direction opposite to the forward rotation direction of the rollers 64 and 65 is referred to as “reverse rotation direction”. To do.

  The rotational axis of the retard roller 65 is located slightly upstream of the rotational axis of the feeding roller 64 in the transport direction (slightly right in FIG. 3). Therefore, when the rollers 64 and 65 rotate in the forward rotation direction with the paper P being nipped (niped) by the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65, the paper P is fed diagonally to the left in FIG.

  Incidentally, a sheet edge detection sensor SE4 that detects the presence or absence of the sheet P on the sheet conveyance path is provided between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction.

  In addition, a guide forming member 66 that is an example of a medium guide member that guides the conveyance of the sheet P along the conveyance path from below is provided in the sheet conveyance path. The guide forming member 66 has a medium guide surface 67 positioned downstream in the transport direction from the nip point that is the point where the paper P is sandwiched between the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65. The medium guide surface 67 is a surface that guides the feeding of the paper P from the feed roller 64 to the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction. Such a medium guide surface 67 has a slanted portion 671 formed so as to be positioned lower in the transport direction and a flat portion 672 connected to the downstream end of the slanted portion 671 in the transport direction. . The flat portion 672 is a surface substantially parallel to the installation surface on which the printing apparatus 10 is installed.

  A medium guide plate 68 is provided above the medium guide surface 67. Such a medium guide plate 68 or the like suppresses the lifting of the paper P between the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic feeding device 60 transmits the power from the feeding motor 70 disposed in one region in the scanning direction in the housing 11 and the power from the feeding motor 70 to the rotating shaft 63. Power transmission mechanism 71 is provided. The power transmission mechanism 71 meshes with a pinion 72 fixed to the output shaft of the feed motor 70, a first two-stage gear 73 that meshes with the pinion 72, and a first two-stage gear 73. A second two-stage gear 74 and a one-way clutch 75 that meshes with the second two-stage gear 74 are provided.

  Each of the two-stage gears 73 and 74 has large diameter portions 731 and 741 and small diameter portions 732 and 742, and the small diameter portions 732 and 742 are arranged coaxially with the large diameter portions 731 and 741. The large diameter portion 731 of the first two-stage gear 73 meshes with the pinion 72, and the small diameter portion 732 of the first two-stage gear 73 is in contact with the large diameter portion 741 of the second two-stage gear 74. It is in mesh. Further, the member on the driving side of the one-way clutch 75 is engaged with the large diameter portion 741 of the second two-stage gear 74. The driven member of the one-way clutch 75 is connected to the rotating shaft 63.

  The driving of the feeding motor 70 for rotating the feeding roller 64 and the rotating shaft 63 in the forward direction is referred to as “forward driving”, and the feeding motor for rotating the feeding roller 64 and the rotating shaft 63 in the reverse direction. The driving 70 is referred to as “reverse driving”. In this case, the one-way clutch 75 transmits the power from the feed motor 70 to the rotating shaft 63 when the feed motor 70 is driven to rotate forward. Thereby, the rotating shaft 63 and the feeding roller 64 rotate in the normal rotation direction. On the other hand, the one-way clutch 75 does not transmit the power from the feeding motor 70 to the rotating shaft 63 when the feeding motor 70 is driven in reverse. Thereby, even if the feed motor 70 is driven in reverse, the rotating shaft 63 and the feed roller 64 do not rotate in the reverse direction.

  Further, a trigger lever 76 that is rotatable within a predetermined angle range is provided in the vicinity of the one-way clutch 75. The trigger lever 76 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 63, that is, the feeding roller 64. The tip of the trigger lever 76 can be locked to one place on the outer periphery of the one-way clutch 75. Then, each time the feed roller 64 makes one rotation, the trigger lever 76 engages with the one-way clutch 75, whereby the feed roller 64 stops in a predetermined initial state. The initial state of the feeding roller 64 is a state in which the non-contact surface 642 on the outer circumferential surface of the feeding roller 64 faces the outer circumferential surface of the retard roller 65 and the paper P on the transport path does not contact the feeding roller 64 ( For example, the state shown in FIG.

  The feed roller 64 is free to rotate in the reverse direction independently of the one-way clutch 75. However, in the state where the power from the feeding motor 70 is not transmitted to the one-way clutch 75, when an external force in the direction of rotating in the reverse direction is applied to the feeding roller 64, the feeding motor 70 constituting the one-way clutch 75. The one-way clutch 75 acts as a kind of torque limiting mechanism because the side member, that is, the driving side member is difficult to rotate. That is, the one-way clutch 75 makes it difficult for the feeding roller 64 to rotate in the reverse direction. However, when the feeding motor 70 is driven in reverse and the power from the feeding motor is transmitted to the power transmission mechanism 71, the member on the feeding motor 70 side constituting the one-way clutch 75 rotates in the reverse direction. The load applied from the clutch 75 to the rotating shaft 63 is reduced. As a result, when an external force for rotating in the reverse direction is applied to the feed roller 64, the feed roller 64 is more likely to rotate in the reverse direction than when the feed motor 70 is not driven. .

  Of the regions on both ends in the scanning direction in the housing 11, when the region where the power transmission mechanism 71 is arranged is the region on one end side, the region on the other end side in the scanning direction has a rotation axis. A cam mechanism 77 for transmitting the rotation of 63 to the hopper 61 is provided. The cam mechanism 77 includes a cam 78 provided on the rotating shaft 63 and a cam follower 79 provided on the hopper 61. The cam follower 79 is configured to be engageable with the cam 78. When the cam 78 is engaged with the cam follower 79, the hopper 61 stands by with its lower portion positioned below. However, when the engagement between the cam 78 and the cam follower 79 is released by the rotation of the rotating shaft 63 in the forward rotation direction, the hopper 61 is moved by the urging force from the urging member disposed on the back side of the hopper 61. Tilt so that the lower part moves upward. Thereafter, when the cam 78 is engaged with the cam follower 79 by the further rotation of the rotation shaft 63 in the forward rotation direction, the rotation shaft 63 is rotated in the forward rotation direction against the urging force from the urging member. In conjunction with this, the hopper 61 tilts so that its lower part moves downward.

Next, the operation of the transport unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, how the roll paper P2 is conveyed will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, it is detected by the set detection sensor SE2 that the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61. When the forward drive of the feeding motor 70 is started in this state, the power from the feeding motor 70 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 63 through the power transmission mechanism 71, and the rotating shaft 63 and the feeding roller 64 are rotated forward. Start rotating in the direction. Then, the trigger lever 76 rotates and the engagement between the trigger lever 76 and the one-way clutch 75 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the rotating shaft 63 is rotating in the forward rotation direction, the cam mechanism 77 is driven. In the cam mechanism 77, when the engagement between the cam 78 and the cam follower 79 is released, the hopper 61 tilts so that the lower part thereof moves upward. Further, when the hopper 61 is tilted in this way, the hopper 61 can come into contact with the contact surface 641 of the feeding roller 64. Therefore, the tip of the roll paper P <b> 2 is pressed against the contact surface 641 of the feeding roller 64 by the hopper 61.

  Then, the roll paper P2 is sent out downstream in the transport direction by the rotation of the feed roller 64 in the forward direction, and the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65 as shown in FIG. Become so. Then, the roll paper P <b> 2 is fed toward the conveyance roller pair 51 positioned downstream in the conveyance direction by the rotation of the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 in the normal rotation direction. Note that the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor SE4 before the leading edge of the roll paper P2 reaches the transport roller pair 51.

  When the roll paper P <b> 2 is fed by rotation of the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 in the forward rotation direction, the rollers 511, which constitute the transport roller pair 51 and the discharge roller pair 52, are driven by the transport motor 53. 512, 521, and 522 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding roller 64 in the forward rotation direction. When the leading edge of the roll paper P2 reaches the position of the transport roller pair 51, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51, and the roll paper P2 is connected to the rollers 511 and 512. It is conveyed toward the support base 40 by rotation in the forward direction.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, when one rotation of the feeding roller 64 in the forward rotation direction is completed, the trigger lever 76 is locked to the one-way clutch 75 and the driving of the feeding motor 70 is stopped. The feeding roller 64 is held in the initial state. In this state, the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 is eliminated.

Next, the maintenance unit 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
As shown in FIG. 11, the maintenance unit 90 is disposed in the home position area HP in the housing 11. When the area facing the support base 40 is a print area PP in which ink can be attached to the paper P supported by the support base 40 by the print head 33, the home position area HP is printed in the scanning direction. This is an area located outside the area PP (right side in the figure).

  The maintenance unit 90 moves the cap 91 for protecting the nozzles of the print head 33, the lock member 92 for prohibiting the movement of the carriage 32 in the scanning direction, and both the cap 91 and the lock member 92 up and down. The elevating mechanism 93 is provided. The cap 91 and the lock member 92 are configured to be able to move in the vertical direction, that is, move up and down. When the cap 91 is lifted from the retreat position positioned below to the capping position positioned above, the cap 91 comes into contact with the print head 33 and the nozzles of the print head 33 are protected by the cap 91. When the lock member 92 is moved from the retracted position positioned below to the lock position positioned above, the tip of the lock member 92 enters the lock hole 321 provided in the carriage 32. Thereby, the movement of the carriage 32 in the scanning direction is prohibited.

  The elevating mechanism 93 is driven when power is transmitted from the transport motor 53. A transmission path switching mechanism 94 is provided in the power transmission path from the transport motor 53 to the lifting mechanism 93. The transmission path switching mechanism 94 is disposed, for example, at a position (right side in the drawing) that is farther from the support base 40 than the cap 91 and the lock member 92 in the scanning direction.

  The transmission path switching mechanism 94 is a mechanism that switches the transmission path of power from the conveyance motor 53 by the carriage 32 that moves in the scanning direction based on the drive of the carriage motor 34. That is, the power transmission path is switched by bringing the carriage 32 into contact with the switching lever constituting the transmission path switching mechanism 94.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, as a path selectable by the transmission path switching mechanism 94, a first path for transmitting power to the lifting mechanism 93 and a mechanism 95 other than the lifting mechanism 93 are provided. A second path for transmitting power and a third path for not transmitting power to any of the mechanisms 93 and 95 are prepared in advance. When the first path is selected by the transmission path switching mechanism 94, the power from the transport motor 53 is transmitted to the elevating mechanism 93, but not transmitted to the other mechanism 95. When transporting the paper P, the transmission path switching mechanism 94 selects the third path.

  However, the power from the transport motor 53 is transmitted to both the transport roller pair 51 and the discharge roller pair 52 regardless of which path is selected by the transmission path switching mechanism 94. For example, even when the first path is selected by the transmission path switching mechanism 94 and the elevating mechanism 93 is driven by the power from the transport motor 53, the rollers 511 and 111 constituting the transport roller pair 51 and the discharge roller pair 52 are configured. 512, 521, and 522 rotate.

Next, the control device of the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the various sensors SE1 to SE4, the control device 100 includes a linear encoder SE5 for the carriage 32, a rotary encoder SE6 for the transport motor 53, and a rotary for the feed motor 70. The encoder SE7 is electrically connected. The linear encoder SE5 detects the moving speed, moving amount, and moving direction of the carriage 32. The rotary encoders SE6 and SE7 detect the rotation speed, rotation amount, and rotation direction of the output shaft of the target motor.

  In addition, the controller device 100 is connected to the control device 100 in a state where information can be transmitted and received. Further, the control device 100 can communicate with an external device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal through a dedicated interface. Then, the control device 100 controls the printing device 10 based on a command based on an operation of the operated unit 142 of the operation device 14 by a user, a command received from an external device, and the print data PD.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 100 includes a computer 110, a head drive circuit 121, and motor drive circuits 122, 123, and 124. When head control data generated by the computer 110 (specifically, an ASIC 112 described later) is input, the head driving circuit 121 ejects ink from the nozzles of the print head 33 according to the head control data. The motor drive circuit 122 is a circuit for the carriage motor 34, the motor drive circuit 123 is a circuit for the transport motor 53, and the motor drive circuit 124 is a circuit for the feeding motor 70.

  The computer 110 includes a CPU 111, an ASIC 112 (Application Specific IC), a nonvolatile memory 113, and a RAM 114. The nonvolatile memory 113 stores various programs executed by the CPU 111 and necessary setting data. The RAM 114 temporarily stores data such as programs executed by the CPU 111 and various calculation results.

  The CPU 111 executes a program read from the nonvolatile memory 113 and performs printing control including paper conveyance control in the printing apparatus 10. The CPU 111 controls driving of the carriage motor 34, the transport motor 53, and the feeding motor 70 through the motor driving circuits 122 to 124 during printing control. At this time, the CPU 111 controls driving of the motors 34, 53, and 70 based on information detected by the encoders SE5 to SE7. In addition, the CPU 111 performs various processes based on input information from the operated unit 142 and performs display control for displaying a menu screen, a setting screen, and the like on the display screen 141 via the display drive circuit.

  The ASIC 112 generates head control data necessary for ejecting ink from the print head 33 based on the image data included in the print data PD, and outputs the head control data to the head drive circuit 121.

Next, the functional configuration of the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the control device 100 includes a medium determination unit 200, a mode selection unit 210, and a control unit 220 as functional units configured by at least one of software and hardware.

  The medium determination unit 200 determines whether a sheet to be transported, that is, a sheet to be printed is roll paper P2 or cut sheet P1. For example, the medium determination unit 200 determines that the paper to be printed is the roll paper P2 when the paper is detected by the roll paper detection sensor SE3. Further, when the sheet is not detected by the roll paper detection sensor SE3 and the sheet is detected by the set detection sensor SE2, the medium determination unit 200 determines that the sheet to be printed is the cut sheet P1. . Then, the medium determination unit 200 outputs information regarding the determination result to the mode selection unit 210 and the control unit 220.

  The mode selection unit 210 selects a mode corresponding to the paper to be printed this time, and outputs information related to the selected mode to the control unit 220. The modes that can be selected by the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment are a display mode (an example of a notification mode) on the display screen 141 at the time of setting a sheet, and a conveyance mode regarding a sheet conveyance mode. Including. Therefore, the mode selection unit 210 includes a display mode selection unit 211 that selects a display mode, and a transport mode selection unit 212 that selects a transport mode.

  The display mode selection unit 211 selects a display mode based on the information regarding the paper to be printed this time input from the medium determination unit 200 and the detection results of the roll paper detection sensor SE3 and the set detection sensor SE2. Then, the display mode selection unit 211 outputs information on the selected display mode to the control unit 220. For example, when it is determined that the sheet to be printed this time is the cut sheet P1, the display mode selection unit 211 displays a display mode for cut sheets (an example of a notification mode for a cut sheet medium). Select. The display mode selection unit 211 selects a display mode for roll paper (an example of a notification mode for a long medium) when the paper to be printed this time is determined to be roll paper P2. To do.

  In addition, as a display mode for roll paper, a first display mode that is an example of a first notification mode and a second display mode that is an example of a second notification mode are prepared in advance. The display mode selection unit 211 selects the first display mode when a sheet is detected by both the roll paper detection sensor SE3 and the set detection sensor SE2. On the other hand, the display mode selection unit 211 selects the second display mode when the paper is detected by the roll paper detection sensor SE3 while the paper is not detected by the set detection sensor SE2.

  The transport mode selection unit 212 selects a transport mode based on the information regarding the paper to be printed this time input from the medium determination unit 200, and outputs the information regarding the selected transport mode to the control unit 220. For example, when it is determined that the sheet to be printed this time is the cut sheet P1, the transfer mode selection unit 212 is a cut mode for a cut sheet that is an example of a transfer mode for a cut sheet medium. Select. In addition, when it is determined that the paper to be printed this time is the roll paper P2, the transport mode selection unit 212 selects the transport mode for roll paper, which is an example of the transport mode for the long medium. To do.

The control unit 220 includes a display control unit 230, an input processing unit 240, a paper information storage unit 250, an image processing unit 260, and a print control unit 270.
The display control unit 230 controls the display mode of the display screen 141. In addition, the display control unit 230 receives information related to the display mode selected by the display mode selection unit 211. Then, the display control unit 230 causes the display screen 141 to perform display (notification) based on the selected display mode. In this regard, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the display screen 141 constitutes an example of “notification device”.

  For example, when the selected notification mode is a cut sheet display mode, the display control unit 230 causes the display screen 141 to display the image shown in FIG. That is, the display control unit 230 displays (notifies) the currently set paper size (here, A5) and paper type (here, plain paper) and prompts the user to change the paper size and paper type. Yes. In the printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the setting change of both the paper size and the paper type is prompted. However, the setting change of only the paper size may be prompted, or the setting change of only the paper type may be prompted. You may do it.

  When the selected notification mode is the first notification mode, the display control unit 230 causes the display screen 141 to display the image illustrated in FIG. That is, the display control unit 230 displays (notifies) the type of roll paper set here (plain paper in this case) and prompts the user to change the type of roll paper.

  In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, only one type of roll paper can be used. However, in a printing apparatus that can use a plurality of sizes of roll paper, it is possible to prompt the user to change both the type and size of the roll paper, or to prompt the user to change only the roll paper size. Alternatively, it may be urged to change only the roll paper type.

  When the selected notification mode is the second notification mode, the display control unit 230 causes the display screen 141 to display the image illustrated in FIG. When this image is displayed on the display screen 141, it is predicted that the roll paper P2 cannot be detected by the set detection sensor SE2 because the leading edge of the roll paper P2 does not reach the lower part of the hopper 61. Therefore, by displaying the image shown in FIG. 17 on the display screen 141, the display control unit 230 prompts correct setting of the roll paper P2 on the hopper 61.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, information corresponding to the operation of the operated unit 142 by the user is input to the input processing unit 240. For example, when the operated unit 142 is operated in order to change the paper size or paper type in the situation where the image shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display screen 141, the paper size or paper selected by this operation is selected. Information about the type is entered. Then, the input processing unit 240 analyzes the information input in this way, and stores the analysis result in the paper information storage unit 250. The paper information storage unit 250 also stores information regarding the paper determined by the medium determination unit 200. Thereby, the control unit 220 can grasp the paper to be printed (here, the cut paper P1 or the roll paper P2), the size of the paper, and the type of the paper.

  The image processing unit 260 performs image processing of the print data PD input from the external device, and generates head control data. Then, the image processing unit 260 outputs the generated head control data to the print control unit 270.

  The print control unit 270 manages printing on a sheet including conveyance of the sheet. Such a print control unit 270 includes a head control unit 271, a conveyance control unit 272, and a decal adjustment unit 273.

  The head controller 271 performs movement of the carriage 32 in the scanning direction, that is, drive control of the carriage motor 34 and ink ejection control from the print head 33. The head control unit 271 attempts to eject ink from the print head 33 based on the head control data input from the image processing unit 260.

  The conveyance control unit 272 controls the automatic feeding device 60, the conveyance roller pair 51, and the discharge roller pair 52. In addition, information related to the transport mode selected by the transport mode selection unit 212 is input to the transport control unit 272. Then, the conveyance control unit 272 performs conveyance control of the sheet based on the selected conveyance mode.

  For example, when the selected transport mode is a cut sheet transport mode, the transport control unit 272 performs a normal-time feeding process, which will be described in detail later, when a print instruction is input. Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 272 performs a cueing process for adjusting the position of the leading edge of the cut sheet P1 in the conveyance direction, and performs printing control in cooperation with the head control unit 271.

  When the selected transport mode is a roll paper transport mode, the transport control unit 272 performs a first feed process to be described later in detail when a print instruction or a feed instruction is input. . If the input instruction is a print instruction, the conveyance control unit 272 continuously performs a second feeding process, which will be described in detail later, following the first feeding process. Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 272 performs a cueing process for adjusting the position of the leading end of the roll paper P2 in the conveyance direction, and performs printing control in cooperation with the head control unit 271.

  On the other hand, when the input instruction is a feeding instruction, the conveyance control unit 272 waits for sheet conveyance until a printing instruction is input after the first feeding process is completed. When a print instruction is input in this state, the conveyance control unit 272 performs the second feeding process and the cueing process in order, and performs print control in cooperation with the head control unit 271.

When the printing on the paper P is completed, the transport control unit 272 performs a discharge process for discharging the paper P downstream in the transport direction.
Here, as described above, the roll paper P <b> 2 is curled so as to protrude upward in the housing 11. Therefore, when the roll paper P <b> 2 reaches the support table 40, there is a possibility that it contacts the carriage 32 or the print head 33 that moves in the scanning direction above the support table 40. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the second feeding process performed immediately before the start of printing on the roll paper P2 includes a decurling process for eliminating the curl of the roll paper P2.

  Even if the roll paper P2 has low rigidity, if the decurling time is too long, the roll paper P2 may curl in the opposite direction (that is, decurl so as to protrude downward). On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 has a high rigidity, the curl of the roll paper P2 may not be properly eliminated unless the decurling processing time is increased.

  Therefore, the decurling adjustment unit 273 predicts the rigidity of the roll paper P2 based on the type of the roll paper P2 stored in the paper information storage unit 250. Then, the decurling unit 273 increases the execution time of the decurling process as the rigidity of the roll paper P2 to be printed becomes stronger. Details of the decurling process will be described later.

Next, a processing routine executed by the control device 100 for selecting the display mode and the conveyance mode will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, in the present processing routine, the control device 100 performs a process of determining whether the paper to be printed is roll paper P2 or cut paper P1 (step S1-1). As described above, in this determination process, it is determined whether the paper is roll paper P2 or cut paper P1 based on detection results by the set detection sensor SE2 and roll paper detection sensor SE3. Subsequently, the control device 100 selects a display mode based on the determination result in step S1-1 (step S1-2), and selects a conveyance mode (step S1-3). When the selection of the mode is completed, the control device 100 ends this processing routine.

Next, a processing routine executed by the control device 100 to control the display mode of the display screen 141 based on the selected display mode will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19, in this processing routine, the control device 100 determines whether or not the selected display mode is a display mode for cut sheets (step S2-1). When the cut sheet display mode is selected (step S2-1: YES), the control device 100 performs a cut sheet display process (step S2-2). That is, the control device 100 causes the display screen 141 to display the image shown in FIG. Then, the control device 100 ends this processing routine.

  On the other hand, when the display mode for roll paper is selected (step S2-1: NO), the control device 100 determines whether or not the selected display mode is the first display mode (step S2-1). S2-3). When the first display mode is selected (step S2-3: YES), the control device 100 performs a first display process for roll paper (step S2-4). That is, the control device 100 causes the display screen 141 to display the image illustrated in FIG. Then, the control device 100 ends this processing routine.

  On the other hand, when the second display mode is selected (step S2-3: NO), the control device 100 performs the second display process for roll paper (step S2-5). That is, the control device 100 causes the display screen 141 to display the image shown in FIG. 17 described above. And the control apparatus 100 transfers the process to the determination process of step S2-3 mentioned above.

  That is, when the image shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display screen 141, when the user pushes the leading end of the roll paper P2 into the housing 11 and the roll paper P2 is detected by the set detection sensor SE2, The display content of the display screen 141 is switched from the image shown in FIG. 17 to the image shown in FIG.

  Next, a processing routine executed by the control device 100 when printing on paper will be described with reference to FIG. This processing routine is a routine that is executed when a printing instruction is input or when a feeding instruction is input.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in this processing routine, the control device 100 determines whether or not the paper to be printed is the roll paper P2 (step S3-1). When the sheet to be printed is the cut sheet P1 (step S3-1: NO), the control device 100 performs a normal time sheet feeding process, which is an example of a sheet-shaped medium feeding process (step S31: NO). S3-2). That is, the control device 100 drives the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 to rotate forward, and rotates the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the initial state in the forward rotation direction. Let it begin. Then, when one rotation of the feed roller 64 is completed, the control device 100 stops driving the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 and holds the feed roller 64 in an initial state. When the normal time feeding process is thus completed, the control device 100 proceeds to step S3-8, which will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the paper to be printed is the roll paper P2 (step S3-1: YES), the control device 100 performs a first feeding process which is an example of a medium feeding process (step S3-3). ). That is, the control device 100 drives the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 to rotate forward, and rotates the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the initial state in the forward rotation direction. Let it begin. Then, when one rotation of the feed roller 64 is completed, the control device 100 stops driving the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 and holds the feed roller 64 in an initial state. In this state, the control device 100 rotates the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the pair of transport rollers 51 in the reverse direction by driving the transport motor 53 in the reverse direction. Thereby, the pinching of the roll paper P2 by the same pair of rollers 511 and 512 is eliminated. Details of the first feeding process will be described later.

  Then, when the first feeding process is completed, the control device 100 determines whether or not a print instruction is input (step S3-4). When the print instruction has not been input yet (step S3-4: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S3-4 until the print instruction is input.

  On the other hand, when the print instruction has already been input (step S3-4: YES), the control device 100 performs a second feeding process described later (step S3-5). When the second feeding process ends, the control device 100 determines whether or not the rubbing avoidance mode is selected as the print mode (step S3-6).

  Here, the “rubbing avoidance mode” is a print mode for avoiding contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing on the roll paper P2. That is, during normal printing, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 that constitute the transport roller pair 51, but is not sandwiched between the pair of rollers 521 and 522 that constitute the discharge roller pair 52. Thus, printing on the roll paper P2 is started. However, when the rubbing avoidance mode is selected, the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 and sandwiched between the pair of rollers 521 and 522 constituting the discharge roller pair 52. In this state, printing on the roll paper P2 is started. Note that the user can select whether to perform printing in the normal printing mode or to perform printing in the rubbing avoidance mode.

  If the rubbing avoidance mode is not selected (step S3-6: NO), the control device 100 proceeds to step S3-8 described later. On the other hand, when the rubbing avoidance mode is selected (step S3-6: YES), the control device 100 performs cue avoidance cueing processing (step S3-7). That is, the control device 100 rotates the rollers 511, 512, 521, and 522 constituting the transport roller pair 51 and the discharge roller pair 52 in the forward rotation direction by starting the forward drive of the transport motor 53. In this state, the control device 100 monitors the position of the leading end of the roll paper P2 in the transport direction based on the rotation amount of the output shaft of the transport motor 53 detected by the rotary encoder SE6 for the transport motor 53. If the control device 100 determines that the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is positioned downstream of the discharge roller pair 52 in the transport direction, the control device 100 stops driving the transport motor 53 and ends the cueing process. Then, the control apparatus 100 transfers the process to step S3-9 mentioned later.

  In step S3-8, the control device 100 performs a normal cueing process. That is, the control device 100 drives the transport motor 53 in the forward direction when moving the leading edge of the paper downstream in the transport direction, and drives the transport motor 53 in the reverse direction when returning the leading edge of the paper upstream in the transport direction. When the cueing process ends, the control device 100 proceeds to the next step S3-9.

  In step S3-9, the control device 100 starts printing based on the print data. When the printing is completed, the control device 100 performs a discharge process for discharging the paper downstream in the transport direction (step S3-10), and then ends the present processing routine.

Next, the first feeding process (first feeding process routine) in step S3-3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 21, in the first feeding process routine, the control device 100 starts the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 (step S4-1), and starts the forward driving of the transport motor 53 ( Step S4-2). Subsequently, the control device 100 determines whether or not the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor SE4 (step S4-3). When the roll paper P2 has not been detected yet (step S4-3: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S4-3 until the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor SE4. .

  On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 has already been detected (step S4-3: YES), the control device 100 stops the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S4-4). Then, the control device 100 drives the carriage motor 34 to place the carriage 32, that is, the paper width sensor SE1 at the center position in the width direction of the roll paper P2 (step S4-5). Subsequently, when the position adjustment of the carriage 32 is completed, the control device 100 starts the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 (step S4-6), and starts the forward driving of the transport motor 53 (step S4-7). ).

  In the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the carriage 32 is moved in the scanning direction with the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveying motor 53 being stopped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the carriage 32 may be moved in the scanning direction while the forward driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is continued.

  Then, in a state where both the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 are driven forward, the control device 100 determines whether or not the feed roller 64 is in the initial state, that is, the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65. It is determined whether or not the nipping of the roll paper P2 due to has been eliminated (step S4-8). When the feeding roller 64 has not yet returned to the initial state (step S4-8: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S4-8 until the feeding roller 64 returns to the initial state.

  On the other hand, when the feeding roller 64 has already returned to the initial state (step S4-8: YES), the control device 100 stops the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S4-9). . And the control apparatus 100 implements the nip cancellation | release process which cancels | releases clamping of the roll paper P2 by a pair of roller 511,512 which comprises the conveyance roller pair 51 (step S4-10). That is, the control device 100 drives the transport motor 53 in the reverse direction. At this time, since the control device 100 grasps the position in the transport direction of the leading end of the roll paper P2 immediately before the start of the nip elimination process, the output shaft of the transport motor 53 detected by the rotary encoder SE6 for the transport motor 53 The position in the transport direction of the leading edge of the roll paper P2 can be predicted based on the rotation amount of the roll paper P2. When the control device 100 determines that the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is positioned upstream of the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction, the control device 100 stops the reverse drive of the transport motor 53 and ends the nip elimination process. Thereafter, the control device 100 ends the first feeding process routine.

Next, the second feeding process (second feeding process routine) in step S3-5 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, in the second feeding process routine, the control device 100 drives the carriage motor 34 to place the carriage 32, that is, the paper width sensor SE1 at the center position in the width direction of the roll paper P2. (Step S5-1). If the carriage 32 is already positioned at the center in the width direction of the roll paper P2 prior to the execution of the second feeding process routine, the control device 100 does not drive the carriage motor 34. Then, the process of step S5-1 is terminated.

  Subsequently, when the position adjustment of the carriage 32 is completed, the control device 100 determines whether or not the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper width sensor SE1 (step S5-2). When the roll paper P2 is not detected (step S5-2: NO), the control device 100 proceeds to step S5-4 described later.

  Here, when the roll paper P <b> 2 is detected by the paper width sensor SE <b> 1, it is indicated that the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51. As described above, the phenomenon in which the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 after the end of the first feeding process is such that an external force is applied to the roll paper P2 after the end of the first feeding process, and the roll paper P2 This may occur when the tip of is pushed into the housing 11.

  Therefore, when the roll paper P2 is detected in step S5-2 (YES), the control device 100 cancels the nip that eliminates the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51. Processing is performed (step S5-3). That is, the control device 100 drives the transport motor 53 in the reverse direction. At this time, the control device 100 continues the reverse drive of the transport motor 53 until the roll paper P2 cannot be detected by the paper width sensor SE1. Then, when the roll paper P2 cannot be detected by the paper width sensor SE1, the control device 100 continues the reverse rotation driving of the transport motor 53 until the elapsed time from the specific time, which is the time when the roll paper P2 cannot be detected, passes the specific time. That is, when the elapsed time reaches a specific time, the control device 100 stops driving the transport motor 53 and ends the nip elimination process. Subsequently, the control device 100 proceeds to the next step S5-4. Note that the specific time is set in advance to a time during which the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 can be reliably canceled if the transport motor 53 is driven in reverse from a specific time point.

  In step S5-4, the control device 100 starts normal rotation driving of the feeding motor 70. Subsequently, the control device 100 starts normal rotation driving of the transport motor 53 (step S5-5). Then, the control device 100 determines whether or not the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper width sensor SE1 (step S5-6). When the roll paper P2 has not been detected yet (step S5-6: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process in step S5-6 until the paper width sensor SE1 detects the leading edge of the roll paper P2.

  On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 has already been detected (step S5-6: YES), the control device 100 stops the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S5-7). Subsequently, the control device 100 drives the carriage motor 34 to retreat the carriage 32 to the outside of the transport path of the roll paper P2 (step S5-8). When the retracting movement of the carriage 32 is completed, the control device 100 starts the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 (step S5-9) and starts the forward driving of the transport motor 53 (step S5-10). .

  Subsequently, the control device 100 acquires an elapsed time T11 from the execution of the process of step S5-9, and determines whether or not the elapsed time T11 is equal to or longer than a preset specified time T11Th ( Step S5-11). This specified time T11Th is a time for specifying the amount of protrusion of the roll paper P2 from the transport roller pair 51 downstream in the transport direction. When the elapsed time T11 is less than the specified time T11Th (step S5-11: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S5-11 until the elapsed time T11 reaches the specified time T11Th.

  On the other hand, when the elapsed time T11 is equal to or longer than the specified time T11Th (step S5-11: YES), the control device 100 stops the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S5-12). Subsequently, the control device 100 acquires an elapsed time T12 from the time when the conveyance of the roll paper P2 in the conveyance direction downstream is stopped by executing step S5-12, and whether the elapsed time T12 is equal to or longer than the specified time T12Th. It is determined whether or not (step S5-13). When the elapsed time T12 is less than the specified time T12Th (step S5-13: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S5-13 until the elapsed time T12 reaches the specified time T12Th. On the other hand, when the elapsed time T12 becomes equal to or longer than the specified time T12Th (step S5-13: YES), the control device 100 shifts the process to the next step S5-14.

  Note that the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is pressed against the upstream rib 44 of the support base 40 during a period from when step S5-12 is executed to when the determination result of S5-13 becomes affirmative. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 in steps S5-12 and S5-13, and the roll paper P2 is held on the support base 40. An example of “pressing decurling” that presses against the upstream rib 44 is configured.

  The specified time T12Th is an example of an execution time set by the decal adjustment unit 273. That is, the specified time T12Th is increased as the rigidity of the roll paper P2 being conveyed is predicted to be strong.

  In step S5-14, the control device 100 starts reverse rotation driving of the feeding motor 70. Subsequently, the control device 100 starts reverse rotation driving of the transport motor 53 (step S5-15). Then, the control device 100 obtains an elapsed time T13 after the leading edge of the roll paper P2 starts returning upstream in the transport direction by executing step S5-15, and determines whether or not this elapsed time T13 is equal to or longer than a specified time T13Th. Determination is made (step S5-16). When the elapsed time T13 is less than the specified time T13Th (step S5-16: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S5-16 until the elapsed time T13 reaches the specified time T13Th. On the other hand, when the elapsed time T13 becomes equal to or longer than the specified time T13Th (step S5-16: YES), the control device 100 stops driving the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S5-17).

  As described above, even if the feeding motor 70 is driven in reverse, the power is not transmitted to the feeding roller 64. For this reason, the feed motor 70 hardly rotates in the reverse direction. On the other hand, when the transport motor 53 is driven in reverse, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is returned upstream in the transport direction. As a result, the roll paper P2 bends so as to be convex downward between the feeding roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction. At this time, the longer the specified time T13Th, the greater the amount of bending of the roll paper P2. That is, the specified time T13Th is a value set to specify the amount of deflection of the roll paper P2.

  And the control apparatus 100 acquires the elapsed time T14 from the time of the rotation to the reverse rotation direction of a pair of roller 511,512 which comprises the conveyance roller pair 51 by execution of step S5-17, and this progress It is determined whether or not the time T14 is equal to or longer than the specified time T14Th (step S5-18). When the elapsed time T14 is less than the specified time T14Th (step S5-18: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S5-18 until the elapsed time T14 reaches the specified time T14Th. On the other hand, when the elapsed time T14 is equal to or longer than the specified time T14Th (step S5-18: YES), the control device 100 shifts the process to the next step S5-19.

  Here, when the roll paper P2 is bent so as to protrude downward between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction, the roll paper P2 is pressed against the medium guide surface 67 of the guide forming member 66. (See FIG. 6). Thereby, curling of the roll paper P2 is eliminated. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 and the feed roller 64 and the retard roller in steps S5-14 to S5-18. An example of “reversal decurling process” in which both nip states are held by 65 and the pair of rollers 511 and 512 are rotated in the reverse direction within a range in which the both nip states are maintained is configured.

  The specified time T14Th corresponds to the execution time of the reverse rotation decurling process. That is, the specified time T14Th is an example of an implementation time set by the decal adjustment unit 273. The specified time T14Th is made longer as it is predicted that the roll paper P2 being conveyed is more rigid.

  In step S5-19, the control device 100 starts normal rotation driving of the feeding motor 70. Subsequently, the control device 100 starts normal rotation driving of the transport motor 53 (step S5-20). Then, the control device 100 determines whether or not the feeding roller 64 is in the initial state based on the detection result by the rotary encoder SE7 for the feeding motor 70 (step S5-21). When the feeding roller 64 is not yet in the initial state (step S5-21: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process in step S5-21 until the feeding roller 64 is in the initial state. That is, the control device 100 continues the forward driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53.

  On the other hand, when the feeding roller 64 is in the initial state (step S5-21: YES), the control device 100 stops driving the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 and maintains the initial state of the feeding roller 64. (Step S5-22). Thereafter, the control device 100 ends the second feeding process routine.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation at the time of printing on the cut sheet P1 will be described.
When the cut sheet P1 is set in the hopper 61, the cut sheet P1 is detected by the set detection sensor SE2. Then, an image (image shown in FIG. 15) corresponding to the cut sheet display mode is displayed on the display screen 141. When a print instruction is input together with the print data PD in a state where the paper size and paper type have been set, the normal time feeding process is started. Then, the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is started, whereby the lower portion of the hopper 61 moves upward, and the feeding roller 64 in the initial state rotates in the forward rotation direction. Thereby, the cut sheet P1 on the hopper 61 comes into contact with the contact surface 641 of the feed roller 64, and the cut sheet P1 is sent downstream in the transport direction by the rotation of the feed roller 64 in the forward rotation direction.

  Then, the cut sheet P1 is sandwiched between the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65, and the cut sheet P1 is fed toward the transport roller pair 51 by the rotation of the rollers 64 and 65 in the normal rotation direction. . When the leading edge of the cut sheet P1 reaches the transport roller pair 51, the cut sheet P1 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51. Then, the rollers 511 and 512 are also rotated in the forward direction along with the forward drive of the transport motor 53, so that the cut sheet P1 is continuously transported downstream in the transport direction. Thereafter, when one rotation of the feeding roller 64 is completed, the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 is stopped. Thereby, the rotation of the feeding roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the pair of rollers 511, 512 is stopped. At this time, the feeding roller 64 is held in an initial state. That is, the normal-time feeding process is completed in a state where the nipping of the cut sheet P1 by the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 is thus eliminated.

  When the normal cueing process is started, the position of the leading edge of the cut sheet P1 in the transport direction is adjusted by driving the transport motor 53. When the position adjustment is completed, printing based on the print data PD is started on the cut sheet P1. Thereafter, when printing on the cut sheet P1 is completed, the cut sheet P1 is discharged onto the front panel 12 by the discharge roller pair 52.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 and FIG. 23 to FIG. 27, the operation at the time of printing on the roll paper P2 will be described.
When the roll paper P2 sent out from the roll paper unit 20 is inserted into the insertion unit 15, the roll paper P2 is detected by the roll paper detection sensor SE3. In a state where the leading end of the roll paper P2 led out from the insertion unit 15 has not yet reached the lower part of the hopper 61, the roll paper P2 has not been detected by the set detection sensor SE2. Therefore, the image shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display screen 141, and the correct setting of the roll paper P2 in the hopper 61 is prompted.

  When the leading edge of the roll paper P2 reaches the lower part of the hopper 61 in such a state, the roll paper P2 is detected by the set detection sensor SE2. Therefore, the image displayed on the display screen 141 is switched from the image shown in FIG. 17 to the image shown in FIG. Then, when a printing instruction or a feeding instruction is input, the first feeding process is started. Then, the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is started, whereby the lower portion of the hopper 61 moves upward, and the feeding roller 64 in the initial state rotates in the forward rotation direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the roll paper P2 on the hopper 61 contacts the contact surface 641 of the feed roller 64, and the roll paper P2 is moved downstream in the transport direction by the rotation of the feed roller 64 in the forward rotation direction. Sent out.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65, and the roll paper P <b> 2 is directed toward the transport roller pair 51 by the rotation of both the rollers 64 and 65 in the forward rotation direction. Are sent. When the leading edge of the roll paper P2 reaches the transport roller pair 51, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 that constitute the transport roller pair 51. Then, the rollers 511 and 512 are also rotated in the forward direction along with the forward drive of the transport motor 53, so that the roll paper P2 is continuously transported downstream in the transport direction. Thereafter, when one rotation of the feeding roller 64 is completed, the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 is stopped. Thereby, the rotation of the feeding roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the pair of rollers 511, 512 is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the feeding roller 64 is held in the initial state, and the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 is eliminated.

  When the nip elimination process (step S4-10) is started, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the pair of transport rollers 51 starts to rotate in the reverse direction by the reverse drive of the transport motor 53. Then, the leading edge of the roll paper P2 returns upstream in the transport direction, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 is eliminated. In this state, the driving of the transport motor 53 is stopped, and the nip elimination process, that is, the first feeding process is finished.

  In the case where the first feeding process is performed in response to the input of the feeding instruction, the apparatus waits in this state until the printing instruction is input. That is, when a print instruction is input thereafter, the second feeding process is started. On the other hand, when the first feeding process is performed in response to the input of the print instruction, the second feeding process is started following the first feeding process.

  When the second feeding process is started, the carriage 32 is arranged on the transport path of the roll paper P2. At this time, when the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper width sensor SE1 provided in the carriage 32, a nip elimination process is performed (step S5-3). In the case where the nip elimination process is performed at this timing, an external force is applied to the roll paper P2 within the period from the end of the first feeding process to the start of the second feeding process, For example, the roll paper P2 may be pushed into the housing 11.

  Then, when the state in which the nipping of the roll paper P <b> 2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 is ensured, the forward driving of the feed motor 70 and the transport motor is started. Then, the feeding roller 64 rotates in the forward rotation direction, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65, and in this state, the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 rotate in the forward rotation direction. Accordingly, the roll paper P2 is fed downstream in the transport direction, and the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between a pair of rollers 511 and 512 that constitute the transport roller pair 51.

  At this time, since the pair of rollers 511 and 512 are also rotated in the forward direction, the roll paper P2 is conveyed downstream from the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction. When the leading edge of the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper width sensor SE1, the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveying motor 53 is stopped, and a pair of rollers constituting the feeding roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the conveying roller pair 51 is configured. The rotation of the rollers 511 and 512 is stopped. In this state, in order to avoid contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33, the carriage 32 is retreated out of the roll paper conveyance path. Then, the rotation in the forward rotation direction of the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the feed roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the transport roller pair 51 based on the forward rotation drive of the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is resumed. The

  As described above, in the transport roller pair 51, the rotational axis of the driven roller 512 positioned above is positioned forward of the rotational axis of the drive roller 511 positioned below and downstream of the transport direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the roll paper P <b> 2 is sent forward and obliquely downward from the transport roller pair 51. As a result, the roll paper P2 located downstream in the transport direction from the transport roller pair 51 is pressed against the upstream rib 44 of the support base 40 (see FIG. 5). When the elapsed time T11 from when the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 is resumed reaches the specified time T11Th, the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is stopped. That is, the roll paper P2 positioned downstream in the transport direction from the transport roller pair 51 is held in a state of being pressed against the upstream rib 44 of the support base 40 (pressing decurling process). By such a pressing decurling process, curling of the leading end portion of the roll paper P2 is almost eliminated.

  When the elapsed time T12 from the start point of the pressing decurling process reaches the specified time T12Th, the pressing decurling process is terminated. Then, the reverse rotation decurling process is started, and the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 are driven in reverse rotation. At this time, based on the reverse rotation drive of the conveyance motor 53, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the conveyance roller pair 51 are rotated in the reverse rotation direction. As a result, the roll paper P2 is returned upstream in the transport direction, and the roll paper P2 bends between the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction.

  At this time, the reaction force from the bent roll paper P2 acts on the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 as an external force. In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the feeding motor 70 is driven in reverse rotation, when the reaction force is excessive, the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 are rotated in the reverse rotation direction by the reaction force. As a result, excessive bending of the roll paper P2 between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction is eliminated. When the elapsed time T13 from when the return of the roll paper P2 to the upstream in the transport direction accompanying the rotation of the pair of rollers 511, 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 in the reverse direction starts reaching the specified time T13Th, The driving of the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is stopped.

  Then, as illustrated in FIG. 25, the roll paper P <b> 2 is pressed against the medium guide surface 67 positioned below the paper conveyance path between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction. . Before the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 starts to rotate in the reverse direction, a gap is interposed between the roll paper P2 and the medium guide surface 67. Since the medium guide surface 67 is formed to be convex downward, the gap is an R-shaped bending space that allows the roll paper P2 to be bent. That is, between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction, the roll paper P2 is pressed against the medium guide surface 67 while the roll paper P2 is bent in the bending space. Thereby, the curl of the roll paper P2 between the feeding roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction is eliminated (reverse rotation decurling process).

  When the elapsed time T14 from the start of the reverse rotation decurling process reaches the specified time T14Th, the reverse rotation decurling process is terminated, and the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 are driven to rotate forward. Then, since the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the feeding roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the transport roller pair 51 rotate in the forward rotation direction, the roll paper P2 is transported downstream in the transport direction. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 26, when the feeding roller 64 is in an initial state and nipping of the roll paper P <b> 2 by the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 is eliminated, the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 are driven. Is stopped, and the second feeding process is ended.

  After that, cueing processing according to the selected print mode is performed. That is, when the normal printing mode is selected, the normal cueing process is performed. Then, while the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51, the roll paper P2 is not sandwiched between the pair of rollers 521 and 522 constituting the discharge roller pair 52. The position of the tip in the transport direction is adjusted. When such position adjustment is completed, printing based on the print data PD is started on the roll paper P2.

  When printing based on the print data PD is completed, a cut line is printed on a portion of the roll paper P2 that is upstream of the printed area in the transport direction. Thereafter, the roll paper P <b> 2 is discharged onto the front panel 12 by the discharge roller pair 52. Then, when the user cuts the roll paper P <b> 2 along the cut line and the user operates the operated portion 142, back feed processing is performed, and the roll paper P <b> 2 is returned into the housing 11. Then, the roll paper P2 waits in the same state as the state at the time when the nipping by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the conveying roller pair 51 is eliminated, that is, the state at the time when the first feeding process is finished. .

  On the other hand, when the print mode including the cueing process for rubbing is selected, the cueing process for rubbing is performed. Then, when the transport motor 53 is driven to rotate forward, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 is rotated in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the roll paper P2 is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction, and the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between a pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the discharge roller pair 52, as shown in FIG. Then, the cueing process is completed, and the driving of the transport motor 53 is stopped. Then, printing based on the print data PD is started on the roll paper P2.

As mentioned above, according to the said structure and effect | action, the following effects can be acquired.
(1) In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when printing on the cut sheet P1, the cut sheet P1 is set on the hopper 61 without using the insertion unit 15. On the other hand, when printing on the roll paper P <b> 2, the roll paper P <b> 2 sent out from the roll paper unit 20 is set on the hopper 61 via the insertion unit 15. When the roll paper P2 passes through the insertion portion 15, the roll paper P2 is detected by the roll paper detection sensor SE3. Therefore, by using the detection result of the roll paper detection sensor SE3, it is possible to determine whether or not the paper actually transported is the roll paper P2 when the paper is set on the hopper 61. . Then, it is possible to select a mode based on the determination result and perform processing according to the mode. Therefore, by determining whether the sheet to be actually transported is the cut sheet P1 or the roll sheet P2 before the start of sheet transport, appropriate processing according to the determination result can be performed. .

  (2) It is determined whether the sheet is a cut sheet or a roll sheet until conveyance of the sheet downstream in the conveyance direction accompanying the rotation of the pair of rollers constituting the conveyance roller pair in the forward rotation direction is started. Assume that a printing apparatus that cannot perform printing is a printing apparatus of a comparative example. In the printing apparatus of this comparative example, an image (for example, an image shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16) prompting to change the setting of the paper size or paper type is automatically displayed on the display screen 141 when the paper is set on the hopper 61. Cannot be displayed. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the paper is a cut paper or a roll paper when the paper is set on the hopper 61. Therefore, when the cut sheet P1 is set on the hopper 61, the image shown in FIG. 15 can be automatically displayed on the display screen 141. Further, when the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, the image shown in FIG. 16 or 17 can be automatically displayed on the display screen 141. That is, it is possible to notify the user by using a notification device such as the display screen 141 as much as it is possible to determine earlier whether the paper is roll paper or cut paper than the printing device of the comparative example. The content can be increased.

  (3) When the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, the display mode of the display screen 141 can be changed according to the setting state of the roll paper P2 on the hopper 61. That is, when the roll paper P2 is detected by the set detection sensor SE2, it can be determined that the roll paper P2 is correctly set on the hopper 61, and therefore the change of the size and type of the roll paper P2 is urged. Is displayed on the display screen 141 (see FIG. 16). On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 is not detected by the set detection sensor SE2, it can be determined that the roll paper P2 is not set correctly on the hopper 61, and thus a message to set the roll paper P2 correctly is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 141 (see FIG. 17). Therefore, an appropriate message according to the setting state of the roll paper P2 can be transmitted to the user, and usability can be improved.

  (4) In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, unlike the printing apparatus of the comparative example, it is determined whether the sheet is roll paper or cut sheet paper when the paper is set on the hopper 61. Can do. Therefore, the paper feeding mode can be automatically switched between roll paper and cut paper. Therefore, the paper can be fed in an appropriate manner according to the paper (roll paper or cut paper).

  (5) That is, the feeding of the roll paper P2 includes a first feeding process and a second feeding process performed after the first feeding process. In addition, as a trigger to start feeding paper in a state where the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, not only a print instruction but also a feed instruction is input. Then, when the feeding of the roll paper P2 is started with the input of the feeding instruction, only the first feeding process is performed. That is, the roll paper P <b> 2 waits in a state where the pinching of the roll paper P <b> 2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 is eliminated. This is because when the roll paper P2 is held between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 for a long time, the roll paper P2 is excessively decurled, and contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 is likely to occur during printing. This is because there is a fear. Therefore, after the first feeding process is performed in response to the input of the feeding instruction, the roll paper P2 is not held between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 until the printing instruction is input. By doing so, the contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 at the time of printing can be suppressed, and as a result, the deterioration of the print quality can be suppressed.

  (6) The second feeding process includes a decurling process for canceling the curl of the roll paper P2. In other words, the curl of the roll paper P2 is canceled just before printing on the roll paper P2. Therefore, at the time of printing, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 is suppressed, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality with respect to the roll paper P2.

  (7) Specifically, the decurling process includes a pressing decurling process and a reverse decurling process. In the pressing decurling process, the leading end portion of the roll paper P2 is pressed against the upstream rib 44 of the support base 40, thereby canceling the curling of the leading end portion. As a result, at the time of printing, contact between the leading end portion of the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality for the roll paper P2.

  (8) Since the roll paper P2 having higher rigidity is less likely to be curled, the time for performing the pressing decurling process is lengthened. As described above, the curling of the roll paper P2 can be appropriately eliminated by optimizing the execution time of the pressing decurling process based on the rigidity of the roll paper P2. As a result, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing can be made difficult to occur.

  (9) Further, in the reverse rotation decurling process, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the conveying roller pair 51 are rotated in the reverse rotation direction within a range in which the both nip states are maintained. Then, the roll paper P <b> 2 bends between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction, and the roll paper P <b> 2 is pressed against the medium guide surface 67. Thereby, curling of the roll paper P2 located between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction is eliminated. As a result, at the time of printing, contact between the portion and the print head 33 is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality for the roll paper P2.

  (10) Since the roll paper P2 having higher rigidity is less likely to be curled, the time for performing the reverse decurling process is lengthened. As described above, the curling of the roll paper P2 can be appropriately eliminated by optimizing the execution time of the reverse rotation decurling process based on the rigidity of the roll paper P2. As a result, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing can be made difficult to occur.

  (11) When the reverse rotation decurling process is performed, the feeding motor 70 is also driven in reverse rotation. Therefore, when the roll paper P2 is excessively bent between the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction, and the reaction force of the roll paper P2 is applied to the feed roller 64, the feed roller 64 is The feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 are easily rotated in the reverse direction as compared with the case where the reverse rotation is not performed. Then, by rotating these rollers 64 and 65 in the reverse direction, excessive bending of the roll paper P2 is suppressed, and curling of the roll paper P2 can be appropriately eliminated. Therefore, the contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing can be made difficult to occur.

  (12) Further, when the printing mode including the cueing process for avoiding rubbing is selected, the roll paper P2 is held in a state of being sandwiched by the pair of rollers 521 and 522 constituting the discharge roller pair 52. Printing on the paper P2 is started. Therefore, at the time of printing, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 is avoided, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in print quality with respect to the roll paper P2.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the roll paper P2 feeding method triggered by the input of a print instruction is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, parts different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same member configuration as that of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted. .

  With reference to FIG. 28, a processing routine executed by the control device 100 when printing on a sheet will be described. This processing routine is a routine that is executed when a printing instruction is input or when a feeding instruction is input.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in this processing routine, when the sheet to be printed is the cut sheet P1 (step S3-1: NO), the control device 100 performs a normal time feeding process (step S3- 2) The process proceeds to step S3-8 described above. On the other hand, when the paper to be printed is the roll paper P2 (step S3-1: YES), the control device 100 determines whether a print instruction has been input (step S3-11). When the feeding instruction is input (step S3-11: NO), the control device 100 shifts the process to the above-described step S3-3. That is, the control device 100 performs the first feeding process (step S3-3), and when the print instruction is input (step S3-4: YES), the second feeding process is performed (step S3-4). S3-5). And the control apparatus 100 transfers the process to step S3-6 mentioned above.

  On the other hand, when a print instruction is input in step S3-11 (YES), the control device 100 performs a third feeding process which is an example of another medium feeding process different from the first feeding process. (Step S3-12). That is, the control device 100 drives the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 in the normal direction to drive the pair of rollers 511 and 512 in the forward direction of the pair of the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the initial state. Start rotation. Then, when one rotation of the feed roller 64 is completed, the control device 100 stops driving the feed motor 70 and the transport motor 53 and holds the feed roller 64 in an initial state. That is, unlike the end point of the first feeding process, the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 at the end point of the third feeding process. Then, when the third feeding process is finished, the control device 100 shifts the process to the above-described step S3-6.

Next, the third feeding process (third feeding process routine) of step S3-12 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 29, in the third feed processing routine, the control device 100 starts the forward rotation drive of the feed motor 70 (step S6-1), and starts the forward drive of the transport motor 53 ( Step S6-2). Subsequently, the control device 100 determines whether or not the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor SE4 (step S6-3). When the roll paper P2 has not been detected yet (step S6-3: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S6-3 until the roll paper P2 is detected by the paper edge detection sensor SE4. .

  On the other hand, when the roll paper P2 has already been detected (step S6-3: YES), the control device 100 stops the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 (step S6-4). Then, the control device 100 starts normal rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 (step S6-5), and starts normal rotation driving of the transport motor 53 (step S6-6).

  Subsequently, the control device 100 determines whether or not the feeding roller 64 has returned to the initial state based on the detection result by the rotary encoder SE7 for the feeding motor 70 (step S6-7). When the feeding roller 64 has not yet returned to the initial state (step S6-7: NO), the control device 100 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S6-7 until the feeding roller 64 returns to the initial state. On the other hand, when the feeding roller 64 has returned to the initial state (step S6-7: YES), the control device 100 stops the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 (step S6-8), and the third This feed processing routine is terminated.

Next, the operation when a print instruction is input together with the print data PD while the roll paper P2 is set in the hopper 61 will be described.
When a print instruction is input in a state where the roll paper P2 sent out from the roll paper unit 20 is set in the hopper 61 through the insertion unit 15, the third feeding process is started. Then, the forward rotation driving of the feeding motor 70 and the transport motor 53 is started, whereby the lower portion of the hopper 61 moves upward, and the feeding roller 64 in the initial state rotates in the forward rotation direction. Then, the roll paper P2 on the hopper 61 comes into contact with the contact surface 641 of the feed roller 64, and the roll paper P2 is sent downstream in the transport direction by the rotation of the feed roller 64 in the normal rotation direction.

  As a result, the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65, and the roll paper P <b> 2 is fed toward the transport roller pair 51 by the rotation of both rollers 64 and 65 in the normal rotation direction. When the leading edge of the roll paper P2 reaches the transport roller pair 51, the roll paper P2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 that constitute the transport roller pair 51. Then, the rollers 511 and 512 are also rotated in the forward direction along with the forward drive of the transport motor 53, so that the roll paper P2 is continuously transported downstream in the transport direction. Thereafter, when one rotation of the feeding roller 64 is completed, the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveyance motor 53 is stopped. Thereby, the rotation of the feeding roller 64, the retard roller 65, and the pair of rollers 511 and 512 is stopped, and the third feeding process is ended. At this time, the feeding roller 64 is held in the initial state, and the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the feeding roller 64 and the retard roller 65 is eliminated. Then, after that, cueing processing according to the selected print mode is performed. Since the subsequent operation is substantially the same as in the case of the first embodiment, the description is omitted here.

As mentioned above, according to the said structure and effect | action, in addition to the effect (1)-(4) of the said 1st Embodiment, and the effect equivalent to (6)-(12), the effect shown below can further be acquired. .
(13) In the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, the roll paper P2 is fed depending on whether the feeding instruction is input or the printing instruction is input. The transport mode is different. That is, when a feeding instruction is input, the first feeding process is performed, and the process waits in a state in which the nipping of the roll paper P2 by the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the conveying roller pair 51 is eliminated. The Thereby, even when the print instruction is not easily input, the contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during the subsequent printing can be suppressed, and the deterioration of the print quality can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, when the printing instruction is input, when the feeding of the roll paper P2 by the rotation of the feeding roller 64 in the forward rotation direction is finished, the printing on the roll paper P2 is started early. Therefore, by performing the third feeding process, the cueing process is immediately started in a state where the roll paper P <b> 2 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 511 and 512 configuring the transport roller pair 51. That is, when a print instruction is input in a state where the roll paper P2 is set on the hopper 61, printing on the roll paper P2 is started earlier than in the case of the first embodiment. . Therefore, the throughput of the printing apparatus 10 can be improved.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In each embodiment, the user decides whether to perform a normal cue process or a cue avoidance cue process, but when printing on the roll paper P2, the cue avoidance process is performed as a cue process. The cueing process may be performed. Further, when printing on the roll paper P2, a normal cueing process may be performed as a cueing process.

  In each embodiment, the execution time of the pressing decurling process is varied according to the type of the roll paper P2. However, the execution time is changed depending on the type of the roll paper P2, that is, the strength of the rigidity of the roll paper P2. Regardless of the time, it may be a fixed time.

  In a support stand of a printing apparatus that does not have a borderless printing function, a plurality of ribs extending from the vicinity of the upstream end to the vicinity of the downstream end in the transport direction may be arranged along the scanning direction. In this case, in the pressing decurling process, the curling of the roll paper P2 can be suppressed by pressing the tip of the roll paper P2 against the upstream portion of the rib in the conveyance direction. Here, the “part on the upstream side in the rib conveyance direction” refers to a part upstream from the center in the rib conveyance direction.

In each embodiment, in the second feeding process, the pressing decurling process may be performed after the reverse rotation decurling process.
In each embodiment, in the second feeding process, if the reverse rotation decurling process is performed, the pressing decurling process may not be performed. On the other hand, in the second feeding process, the reverse decurling process need not be performed if the pressing decurling process is performed. Alternatively, the pressing decurling process or the reverse decurling process may be selected according to the type of roll paper selected, that is, the rigidity of the roll paper, and only the selected decurling process may be performed.

  In each embodiment, the execution time of the reverse decurling process is varied according to the type of the roll paper P2. However, the execution time is changed depending on the type of the roll paper P2, that is, the strength of the rigidity of the roll paper P2. Regardless of the time, it may be a fixed time.

  In each embodiment, in the reverse rotation decurling process, the rotation amount of the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the conveyance roller pair 51 in the reverse rotation direction, that is, the roll between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction. The amount of bending of the paper P2 is constant. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation amount of the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 in the reverse direction may be increased as the rigidity of the roll paper P2 to be printed increases.

  That is, since the roll paper P2 having higher rigidity is less likely to be curled, the amount of bending of the roll paper P2 between the feeding roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction is increased when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed. . Thus, curling of the roll paper P2 can be appropriately eliminated by optimizing the above-described deflection amount based on the rigidity of the roll paper P2. As a result, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing can be made difficult to occur.

  When the amount of bending of the roll paper P2 between the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction is variable according to the type of the roll paper P2, that is, the rigidity of the roll paper P2, The execution time of the reverse decurling process may be set to a fixed time regardless of the type of the roll paper P2.

When the reverse rotation decurling process is performed, the feeding motor 70 need not be driven in reverse rotation.
In each embodiment, the pair of rollers 511 and 512 constituting the transport roller pair 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby bending the roll paper P2 between the feed roller 64 and the transport roller pair 51 in the transport direction. In addition, decurling (that is, reverse decurling) is performed. However, other methods may be adopted as long as the roll paper P2 can be bent between the feeding roller 64 and the conveyance roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction. For example, by feeding the feed motor 70 in the forward direction and rotating the feed roller 64 and the retard roller 65 in the forward direction in a range where both nip states are maintained, the feed roller 64 and the transport roller in the transport direction are rotated. The roll paper P2 may be bent between the pair 51. In this way, when the feeding motor 70 is driven to rotate forward, the transport motor 53 may be driven to rotate backward, or the drive of the transport motor 53 may be stopped.

  -While the decurling process (the pressing decurling process and the reverse decurling process) is being performed, since the driving of the feeding motor 70 and the conveying motor 53 is stopped, the sheet conveying is stopped. You may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the carriage motor 34 may be driven during the decurling process. Further, the driving of the carriage motor 34 during the decurling process may be performed only when the decurling process time is long.

Even if the decurling process is not performed, both the reverse decurling process and the pressing decurling process need not be performed as long as the roll paper P2 does not contact the print head 33 during printing.
In the second embodiment, when a print instruction is input with the roll paper P2 set on the hopper 61, the cueing process is performed after the third feeding process is performed. ing. However, at least one of the pressing decurling process and the reverse decurling process may be performed between the third feeding process and the cueing process. With this configuration, although the throughput of the printing apparatus 10 is somewhat reduced, contact between the roll paper P2 and the print head 33 during printing can be suppressed.

  The printing apparatus 10 may be configured not to include the set detection sensor SE2. Even in such a case, the transport mode is appropriately selected according to the paper (roll paper P2 or cut paper P1) set on the hopper 61, and feeding according to the selected transport mode is performed. Can do.

  The notification by the printing apparatus may be notification by a method other than the display using the display screen 141, for example, notification by sound using a speaker. In this case, the speaker constitutes an example of a “notification device”. In addition, an external device that transmits the print data PD to the printing apparatus 10 may be notified. In this case, the external device also functions as a “notification device”.

  The printing apparatus may be a printer of another system such as a line head system or a lateral scan system as long as it can print on the roll paper P2 as well as the cut sheet P1. The printing device may be a line printer or a page printer.

  -The printing unit which comprises a printing apparatus may be a printing unit of systems other than an inkjet system. An example of such a printing unit is a dot impact type printing unit.

The cut sheet medium may be a medium other than paper (such as a film).
-The long medium may be a medium other than paper (such as a long cloth).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 141 ... Display screen which is an example of alerting | reporting apparatus, 15 ... Insertion part which is an example of a guide part, 20 ... Roll paper unit which is an example of a holding device, 22 ... Support shaft, 33 ... Print head, 40 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS: Support stand, 51 ... Conveying roller pair, 511 ... Driving roller as conveying roller, 512 ... Follower roller as conveying roller, 52 ... Discharge roller pair, 521 ... Driving roller as discharging roller, 522 ... Followed as discharging roller Roller, 53 ... conveying motor, 61 ... hopper as an example of set unit, 64 ... feeding roller, 641 ... contact surface, 642 ... non-contact surface, 65 ... retard roller, 66 ... guide formation as an example of medium guide member 70, feeding motor, 75 ... one-way clutch, 100 ... control device, 200 ... medium discrimination unit, 210 ... mode Selection unit, 220 ... control unit, P ... paper, P1 ... single sheet paper as an example of a single sheet medium, P2 ... roll paper as an example of a long medium, SE2 ... set detection sensor, SE3 ... long A roll paper detection sensor, which is an example of a scale medium detection sensor.

Claims (16)

This is a printing apparatus that prints on a single-cut medium when setting a single-cut medium on the set unit, and prints on the same long-sized medium when setting a long medium on the set unit. And
A feeding roller for feeding the medium set in the set unit downstream in the transport direction;
A print head disposed downstream of the feeding roller in the transport direction and for printing on the medium;
A guide unit for guiding a long medium fed from a holding device that holds the long medium to the set unit;
A long medium detection sensor for detecting a medium passing through the guide section;
A control device for controlling the device,
The controller is
When the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor, the mode for the single-cut medium is selected, while when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, the mode for the long medium is selected. A mode selection section to select;
And a control unit that executes processing according to the mode selected by the mode selection unit. A set detection sensor for detecting a medium set in the set unit;
The control device includes a medium determination unit that determines whether a medium to be transported is a single-cut medium or a long medium,
The medium determination unit
When the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor, it is determined that the medium to be transported is a long medium,
When the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor while the medium is detected by the set detection sensor, it is determined that the medium to be transported is a single-cut medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit selects a mode based on a determination result by the medium determination unit. The mode includes a notification mode related to a notification mode by the notification device,
The mode selection unit selects a notification mode for a single-cut medium when the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor, and is long when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor. Select the notification mode for the medium
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the notification device to perform notification based on the notification mode selected by the mode selection unit. The notification mode for the single-cut medium is a mode that prompts the user to set at least one of the size and type of the medium,
The notification mode for the long medium includes a first notification mode selected when a medium is detected by both the long medium detection sensor and the set detection sensor, and the long medium detection sensor. And a second notification mode selected when the medium is detected by the set detection sensor while the medium is detected by
The first notification mode is a mode that prompts the user to set at least one of the size and type of the medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second notification mode is a mode that prompts the user to set a long medium on the set unit. The mode includes a transport mode related to transport of a medium,
The mode selection unit selects a conveyance mode for a single-cut medium when the medium is not detected by the long medium detection sensor, and is long when the medium is detected by the long medium detection sensor. Select the transport mode for the medium
The said control part conveys the said medium based on the conveyance mode selected by the said mode selection part, when conveying the medium set to the said setting part. The printing apparatus according to item. A transport roller pair disposed between the feed roller and the print head in the transport direction and having a pair of transport rollers;
The outer peripheral surface of the feeding roller is a contact surface along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the feeding roller, and a non-contact surface that linearly connects one end and the other end in the circumferential direction of the contact surface, Have
The state of the feeding roller where the non-contact surface faces the medium on the conveyance path is set as an initial state, and the rotation direction of each roller when conveying the medium downstream in the conveyance direction is defined as a normal rotation direction. If the opposite direction is the reverse direction,
When the feeding roller in the initial state is rotated once in the forward rotation direction, the leading end of the medium is positioned downstream in the transport direction with respect to the pair of transport rollers, and the medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers. And
The controller is
When transporting a single-cut medium under the situation where the single-sheet medium transport mode is selected,
A sheet that starts rotation of the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state in the forward rotation direction, and holds the feeding roller in the initial state when one rotation of the feeding roller is completed. While carrying out the feeding process for the shaped medium,
When transporting a long medium under the situation where the transport mode for the long medium is selected,
The rotation of the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state is started in the forward rotation direction, and when one rotation of the feeding roller is completed, the feeding roller is held in the initial state, 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a medium feeding process is performed in which the pair of conveyance rollers are rotated in the reverse direction in a state so as to eliminate pinching of the medium by the same pair of conveyance rollers. The said control part implements the said media feeding process, when the feeding instruction of a medium is input in the condition where the conveyance mode for the said elongate media is selected. Printing device. The controller is
When a medium feeding instruction is input under the situation where the transport mode for the long medium is selected, the medium feeding process is performed,
When a print instruction to the medium is input under the condition that the transport mode for the long medium is selected,
The rotation of the feeding roller and the pair of transport rollers in the initial state is started in the forward rotation direction, and when one rotation of the feeding roller is completed, the feeding roller is held in the initial state, and The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein another medium feeding process for holding the long medium between the pair of transport rollers is performed. A retard roller capable of sandwiching the medium together with the feeding roller;
A medium guide member that guides the feeding of the medium from the lower side between the feeding roller and the pair of conveying rollers in the conveying direction from below;
The outer peripheral surface of the retard roller can contact the contact surface of the feeding roller, but cannot contact the non-contact surface,
The holding device is provided with a support shaft around which a long medium is wound in a roll shape,
When the support shaft is rotated in one direction, a long medium is sent out from the holding device, and the long medium sent out is curled so as to protrude upwardly,
The controller is
When a print instruction is input after execution of the medium feeding process,
Both nip states in which the pair of transport rollers and the feed roller are rotated in the forward rotation direction so that the medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers and the transport roller and the retard roller. The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein reverse decurling processing is performed in which the pair of transport rollers are rotated in the reverse direction within a range in which the both nip states are maintained. A transport motor as a drive source of the transport roller pair;
A feeding motor that is a driving source of the feeding roller;
The power from the feed motor is transmitted to the feed roller when the feed motor is driven forward, while the power from the feed motor is transmitted to the feed roller when the feed motor is driven reversely. With one-way clutch,
When the power based on the forward drive of the feed motor is transmitted through the one-way clutch, the feed roller is configured to rotate in the forward direction.
The control unit drives the transport motor to rotate the pair of transport rollers in the reverse rotation direction in the nip state when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed, and reversely drives the feeding motor. The printing apparatus according to 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit increases the execution time of the reverse rotation decurling process as the rigidity of the medium increases. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit increases a rotation amount of the pair of transport rollers in the reverse rotation direction when the reverse rotation decurling process is performed as the rigidity of the medium increases. A support base disposed downstream of the transport roller pair in the transport direction;
Of the pair of transport rollers constituting the transport roller pair, one roller is disposed above, the other roller is disposed below, and the axis of the one roller is more than the axis of the other roller. Located downstream in the transport direction,
The print head is adapted to perform printing on a medium supported on the support base,
The controller is
When performing printing after performing the medium feeding process,
The printing according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a long medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers, and a pressing decal process is performed to press the long medium against the support base. apparatus. A support base disposed downstream of the transport roller pair in the transport direction;
Of the pair of transport rollers constituting the transport roller pair, one roller is disposed above, the other roller is disposed below, and the axis of the one roller is more than the axis of the other roller. Located downstream in the transport direction,
The print head is adapted to perform printing on a medium supported on the support base,
The controller is
When a print instruction is input after execution of the medium feeding process,
A long medium is sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers, and a pressing decurling process is performed to press the tip of the long medium against the support base.
Thereafter, the reverse decurling process is performed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control unit lengthens the time for performing the pressing decurling process as the rigidity of the medium increases. Disposed downstream of the print head in the transport direction, and includes a pair of discharge rollers having a pair of discharge rollers,
The controller is
When printing on long media,
The medium is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers and is also sandwiched by the pair of discharge rollers, and in this state, printing on a long medium is started. The printing apparatus according to item.